Buffalo Bills News - September 26, 2003

Eagles still face myriad of issues [1:36 PM]ESPN reports:
'Assessing Sunday's game in Buffalo (2-1), one senior member of the Eagles organization said, "It's a playoff game. A one-game season. Going 0-3 is not an option."'

3 Starters remain sidelined [1:33 PM]PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports:
'But the team remains without three key starters -- defensive end Brandon Whiting, safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Bobby Taylor. Reid said Dawkins is officially out for the game, and Taylor and top pick Jerome McDougle, sidelined since the preseason finale, "most likely will not play" and that it will be a "stretch" for Whiting to play.'

Eagles won't change offensive strategy [11:05 AM]phillyBurbs.com reports:
'The Bills rank sixth in the NFL in pass defense but only 23rd in rush defense, mainly because Williams ran 42 times for 153 yards last week, when the Dolphins beat the Bills, 17-7, in Miami. Williams had twice as many carries in that game as all of the Eagles' backs have in two games.'

Westbrook receives vote of confidence [11:04 AM]phillyBurbs.com reports:
'"Eric Moulds is in a class by himself," Johnson said, "He's one of the best receivers we'll face this year, no question about it. When he goes up for the ball, most of the time he comes down with it. The other guys are very productive guys. They're not in Moulds' class, but they're good receivers. Moulds is an exceptional receiver."'

Impatient McGahee watches and waits [8:55 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"Shoot, I think I'm ready right now," an optimistic McGahee said. "But it's not up to me. I'm just working hard, taking mental reps and doing what I can do right now until they let me turn it loose."'

Bledsoe, McGahee have mixed feelings on Clarett [8:54 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"After one year in college, yeah, that seems a little young," Bledsoe said. "I don't know. I'm the wrong person to stand up here and say that he's got to go to school because I came out a year early, too."'

Bills have their say regarding Clarett's pro quest [5:28 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“That seems a little bit young,” the Bills quarterback said, when told Clarett’s age. “But I don’t know. I’m probably the wrong person to stand up here and say he should stay in school because I came out a year early.”'

Takeo Spikes, linebacker, Buffalo [5:27 AM]Philadelphia Inquirer reports:
'Spikes is so hyperactive on the football field that he must consume hot dogs topped with Ritalin at halftime.'

Reid could see himself in criticism by HBO show [5:26 AM]Philadelphia Inquirer reports:
'The popular HBO program Inside the NFL delivered some strong opinions about the pro football season that should resonate with Eagles fans, who can watch a rerun at 7 tonight.'

Bledsoe must make good on promises [5:25 AM]Philadelphia Inquirer reports:
'And make no mistake, Bledsoe was bad Sunday. It was obscured by the halfback option and the sorry running game, but he was awful. In fact, it might have been the worst game of his 11-year career. Bledsoe was 10 of 25 for 98 yards, no TDs, and two interceptions. It was the fewest yards he's ever had in a game in which he threw at least 18 passes.'

Turnovers crippling the Birds [5:24 AM]Philadelphia Inquirer reports:
'Add in the three interceptions by struggling quarterback Donovan McNabb, and the Eagles have eight turnovers in two games. That's one-third as many turnovers as the 24 the Eagles had in each of the last two seasons when they advanced to the NFC championship game.'

Eagles can only dream of winning [5:23 AM]Philadelphia Inquirer reports:
'Bills running back Travis Henry is hurting and questionable for Sunday's game. Questions persist regarding the toughness of the Bills' offensive line. Coaches are being interrogated about their play-calling, and with the loss in Miami, Buffalo lost sole possession of the AFC East lead. This all qualifies as motivation for the Bills. No team wants to lose two straight. And no one should be more motivated than Bledsoe, one week after aiding his team's demise.'

Childress explains how it came to pass [5:22 AM]Philadelphia Inquirer reports:
'Yesterday, it was offensive coordinator Brad Childress' turn to explain why the team's three top running backs have carried the ball just 21 times for 65 yards in two games.'

Defense a big part of Bills' resurgence [5:21 AM]Philadelphia Daily News reports:
'No longer is Buffalo dismissed as the NFL's Siberia, a place shunned by big-ticket free agents who, all things being equal, would prefer relocating to a Sun Belt city where they can work on their tans and golf games even during winter. The chance to win makes for a wonderful overcoat, and Bledsoe (who came from New England via trade) aside, many of the Bills' more valuable pickups are playmakers on defense.'

Comments of Taylor's agent painful [5:20 AM]Philadelphia Daily News reports:
'You need him back as soon as possible to help save a season that already is hovering on the edge of a cliff. Then you read those comments from his agent. Comments, by the way, that Taylor did not bother to dispute.'

Hard to tell what's worse, Birds' performance or personality [5:18 AM]Philadelphia Daily News reports:
'"We're trying to pick that up right now,'' said safety Clinton Hart, who will start again in Brian Dawkins' spot Sunday, as Dawkins recovers from a Lisfranc foot sprain. "We've been out there in practice hyping things a little bit more. After big plays, we have to start relishing those moments, and getting other guys hyped up.'''

Look for a return to the run game [5:17 AM]Philadelphia Daily News reports:
'It clearly isn't Andy Reid's first choice. But for people who paint him as stubborn and unyielding about this stuff, you really haven't been paying attention. When it isn't working the other way, Reid will run - and last year proved it.'

Harbaugh sees bright future for returner Westbrook [5:16 AM]Philadelphia Daily News reports:
'"Dirk's proved that he can punt in the NFL, under high-pressure situations," Harbaugh said. "When your job's on the line - David Akers talked about this his first year here, he felt like in some ways he was being evaluated every week for 16 weeks; he was just waiting to see if he was still on the team on Tuesday. I'm sure Dirk feels that way. But Dirk has punted great. He's proved he can do it."'

Akers ready to test his mettle from distance [5:15 AM]Press of Atlantic City reports:
'"In a no-wind situation, perfectly calm conditions, I say David can go 60, 65 yards," Eagles special-teams coach John Harbaugh said. "If the wind is at his back, I'm not sure he can't go farther. He's capable of breaking the record for sure."'

Birds’ QBs rally around struggling McNabb [5:14 AM]Press of Atlantic City reports:
'McNabb was poor the first two games. He completed 37-of-82 passes (45.1 percent) for 334 yards with three interceptions, two fumbles and no touchdown passes in losses to Tampa Bay (17-0) and New England (31-10). His 41.4 rating is the lowest in the NFL. He is the only starting quarterback who has yet to throw a touchdown pass.'

Young secondary on hot seat [5:13 AM]Cherry Hill Courier Post reports:
'This week, Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe must think he can do at least as well as Brady and Tampa Bay's Brad Johnson have done against the Eagles. In fact, the young defensive backs are bracing for an aerial assault. "Why not?" said Brown, a second-year cornerback when asked if he expected to see Bledsoe put a lot of balls in the air Sunday. "We got two rookies out there, and I'm sure they think they can throw on us."'

Akers says consistency, not length, is priority [5:12 AM]Cherry Hill Courier Post reports:
'One of the big questions surrounding their game against the Bills this week is whether the Eagles will try to run the ball more than they have in the first two games, both of which ended in losses.'

Smith, McMullen waiting their turn [5:11 AM]Allentown Morning Call reports:
'But two games — two losses — into the 2003 season, Smith and McMullen have combined for a grand total of zero catches.'

Week off a getaway for McNabb [5:10 AM]Delaware County Times reports:
'"I’ve never been a part of anything like this," he said. "There are times when you just don’t play well or you don’t put points on the board, and to do it on back-to-back games is tough. But as a leader and the quarterback of this team, I can’t let it bother me or bother my play. You just have to focus on the next opponent and go out and show your team that your head is high and things are going to turn out positive."'

Eagles look to shuffle in Buffalo [5:09 AM]Trenton Times reports:
'After two games, the Eagles aren't even close to 50-50. Again, if you take away quarterback McNabb's 10 carries, the Eagles have run the ball 18 percent of the time and passed it 82 percent.'

Eagles' secondary struggling [5:08 AM]Wilmington News Journal reports:
'The Eagles rank 27th of the 32 NFL teams in pass defense, giving up an average of 242.5 yards per game. They have allowed five touchdown passes in two games, after giving up just 18 all last season.'

Akers wants chance at 63-yard record [5:07 AM]Wilmington News Journal reports:
'Akers kicked a career-best 57-yard field goal when the Eagles lost to the New England Patriots 31-10 on Sept. 14. That kick has been the brightest offensive moment for the Eagles this season, and it left open the question of whether Akers would be permitted to try other long attempts as the season goes along.'

Eagles' Defense Enduring Growing Pains [5:06 AM]Comcast Sportsnet reports:
'The Eagles' offense hasn't done anything to pick up the slack. In the first two games, the offense has been on the field an average of 22 minutes and 53 seconds, meaning the shorthanded defense has played just over 37 minutes per game. Only the Bears' defense has been on the field longer.'